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Chapter 18: Problem 12

The Human Genome Project has demonstrated that in humans of all races and nationalities approximately 99.9 percent of the genome sequence is the same, yet different individuals can be identified by DNA fingerprinting techniques. What is one primary variation in the human genome that can be used to distinguish different individuals? Briefly explain your answer.

Short Answer

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Answer: One primary variation in the human genome that allows DNA fingerprinting techniques to distinguish different individuals is Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). SNPs are differences in just one nucleotide within the DNA sequence and are useful due to their abundance and distribution throughout the human genome. They can serve as biological markers for various genes and traits, which can be linked to specific diseases, responses to drugs, or environmental factors. By comparing specific regions of DNA containing many SNPs, researchers can create a unique DNA fingerprint for each person.

Step by step solution

01

Introduction to Human Genome Project

The Human Genome Project was an international research effort aimed at determining the sequence of the entire human genome. It provided a storehouse of information about the entire genetic makeup of humans, revealing that the genome sequence is 99.9% similar across all races and nationalities.
02

Identifying the Primary Variation

One primary variation in the human genome that can be used to distinguish different individuals is Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). These are differences in just one nucleotide (A, C, T, or G) within the DNA sequence.
03

Why SNPs Are Useful for DNA Fingerprinting

SNPs are highly abundant and widely distributed throughout the human genome. They can serve as biological markers for various genes and traits, which can be linked to specific diseases, responses to drugs, or environmental factors. Scientists can use these markers to distinguish between people, even though the overall genome sequence is 99.9% identical. By comparing specific regions of DNA—such as those containing many SNPs of interest—researchers can create a unique DNA fingerprint for each person.
04

Conclusion

In conclusion, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are one primary variation in the human genome that can be used to distinguish different individuals in DNA fingerprinting techniques. They are abundant and can be found throughout the genome, making them useful markers for various genes and traits.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Describe three major goals of the Human Genome Project.

Annotation of the human genome sequence reveals a discrepancy between the number of protein-coding genes and the number of predicted proteins actually expressed by the genome. Proteomic analysis indicates that human cells are capable of synthesizing more than 100,000 different proteins and perhaps three times this number. What is the discrepancy, and how can it be reconciled?

In this chapter, we focused on the analysis of genomes, transcriptomes, and proteomes and considered important applications and findings from these endeavors. At the same time, we found many opportunities to consider the methods and reasoning by which much of this information was acquired. From the explanations given in the chapter, what answers would you propose to the following fundamental questions? (a) How do we know which contigs are part of the same chromosome? (b) How do we know if a genomic DNA sequence contains a protein-coding gene? (c) What evidence supports the concept that humans share substantial sequence similarities and gene functional similarities with model organisms? (d) How can proteomics identify differences between the number of protein- coding genes predicted for a genome and the number of proteins expressed by a genome? (e) How has the concept of a reference genome evolved to encompass a broader understanding of genomic variation in humans? (f) How have microarrays demonstrated that, although all cells of an organism have the same genome, some genes are expressed in almost all cells, whereas other genes show celland tissue-specific expression?

What is bioinformatics, and why is this discipline essential for studying genomes? Provide two examples of bioinformatics applications.

In Section 18.8 we briefly discussed The Human Proteome Map (HPM). An interactive Web site for the HPM is available at http:I/ www.humanproteomemap.org. Visit this site, and then answer the questions in parts (a) and (b) and complete part (c). (a) How many proteins were identified in this project? (b) How many fetal tissues were analyzed? (c) Use the "Query" tab and select the "Gene family" dropdown menu to do a search on the distribution of proteins encoded by a pathway of interest to you. Search in fetal tissues, adult tissues, or both.
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